Tiger Weekly - Serving Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Vettes get ready for Voodoo Fest

By Rachael Lundy

The Vettes, a talented family band consisting of four brothers and one sister, is an indie, alt-rock band from New Orleans that just recently released its first self-titled album with ThroBack Records, T.V. EP.

Todd and Chad Vette were previously in a band called The Hush, while Rachel Vette and her other brothers were in a separate band, struggling with its rotating members. After some deliberation, Rachel Vette decided that she would like for her family to work together as one band, and as a result, the family came together and created their musical quintet. The Vettes consists of front-woman Rachel, Chad on keys and synthesizer, Todd on lead guitar, Mitch Vette on bass and Brian Vette on drums.

With the exception of a slight delay from Hurricane Katrina, this new-wave alternative rock band became instantly popular. Their song, “Give Em What They Want” was an immediate hit and was played on B97’s top 40 station. The Vettes later signed on with ThroBack Records, which furthered their success and led to MTV Networks becoming licensed to play their music.

It’s easy to see why this band was initially successful. Rachel, the energetic, blonde vocalist, undeniably draws the crowds into this family’s musical scene with her vivid stage presence when performing live. Flipping her hair wildly, she dances all over the place, really getting into their music.

“If Debbie Harry [Blondie] or Dale Bozzio [Missing Persons] had a baby with Rick Ocasek [The Cars], you’d need a maternity test to determine who the real mother is,” said Rachel when describing the band. “That is the Vettes.”

As Rachel points out, working with one’s family certainly has both its pros and its cons.

“We follow a strict code of no punching in the face,” Rachel jokes. “There’s an automatic chemistry, at least for us. No matter how bad a situation gets we have to get over things pretty fast because you can’t quit the family.”

While they know how to push each other’s buttons, being together and working closely as a family makes the constant touring less straining on all of them.

“Traveling with family makes it feel like you’re always at home in many ways,” said Rachel, which is beneficial to them because they are currently touring nationwide.

“Live shows are the reason we play music,” she said. “It’s an amazing thing when people know my lyrics and my words or music, and that the music means as much to them as it does to me.”

One of the songs in particular, “Kill Me Now,” was initiated by an overwhelming feeling Rachel had during this current stage in her young, adult life. It was prompted because she did not want to follow her friends in settling down with marriage and children at this stage in her life, and her song title speaks volumes on how strongly she feels about this recent reality that all young individuals inevitably face.

The Vettes’ aforementioned CD can be purchased at Best Buy and fans can look forward to more songs to come. They are in the process of working on releasing another album next year, using the songs they’ve been playing at live shows with the addition of several that no one has yet heard.

The Vettes will be playing at Voodoo Fest on Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. and will also be in Baton Rouge at Chelsea’s on Nov. 13. There will be plenty of opportunities to experience the unique, musical talent of this family band.

Originally Published: October 22, 2008

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